Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

However, the thought only flashed through their minds, like the shadow of a bird skimming across the water, and before they could be grasped, it vanished without a trace—no one really figured it out, they just felt that life went on as usual, they ate as usual, they talked as usual, and Director Li came, as if it were the natural order of things.

After all, Li Wenguo is the head of the steel rolling mill, and this courtyard house was originally his family's old residence; it's not unusual for his daughter to visit and his son to hold a wedding banquet.

"Heh, no wonder the surname is Li, so it's Factory Director Li's family matter!"

The old man recovered his senses and laughed heartily.

"Indeed! The Li family is celebrating two joyous occasions, a truly auspicious occasion!"

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong immediately accepted, bowing and offering his congratulations.

Others also crowded around, offering their congratulations: "Congratulations, Comrade Li!" "So happy for your brother!" "Sharing in the joy!"

Now that we know the basics, we must not neglect proper etiquette.

"Hey, Comrade Li, we live close to Director Li, so we're practically family... How about we graciously come along and have a drink at the banquet?"

Uncle Yan Bugui rubbed his hands together, grinned, and approached, his face full of familiar and flattering wrinkles.

The banquet hosted by Director Li is always full of delicacies, oily and juicy, with thick chunks of meat—one meal here is enough to eat half a year's worth of meat!

He dared not say this to Director Li's face, but he was quite bold when it came to Li Jingtong, who was still a student.

He then casually pulled a few young people around him into the conversation: "Isn't that right? Everyone wants to share in the joy!"

Before the words were even finished, several people had already quietly licked their lips, their Adam's apples bobbing up and down, their eyes drifting towards the next room.

After all, they were just ordinary workers who rarely saw meat on a regular basis, and many of them couldn't even fill their stomachs.

However, some people feel that this is inappropriate.

There was Uncle Yi Zhonghai, Uncle Liu Haizhong, and Xu Damao.

Factory Director Li didn't invite them at all; if he forced them to come, he'd probably annoy people.

Besides, Director Li invited only the most prominent figures in the factory; their presence would have made them seem out of place.

If anyone in the courtyard were having a wedding, they would have already called for someone to host a banquet; but Li Wenguo was different—everyone worked under him, and if he was unhappy, he could retaliate more quickly than dusting people off.

"How about this, I'll go back and mention it to my dad, and see if he can free up a few more tables."

Li Jingtong pondered for a moment before speaking.

After all, we live in the same courtyard and bump into each other every day. It would be too embarrassing to refuse outright.

"Wait, Comrade Li!" An old man immediately raised his hand to stop him. "There's really no need to talk about this. Director Li didn't mention us by name. If you speak up rashly, it's against the rules, and you might get scolded."

As he spoke, he glared fiercely at his third uncle, Yan Bugui.

He cursed inwardly: What is this old bastard up to? If he really angers Director Li, well, you're not from the steel mill, it's none of your business!

"Sir, is it really necessary? We're official employees of the factory, shouldn't Director Li give us some face?"

Upon hearing that there was no banquet to join, Jia Dongxu immediately began to wring his hands in anxiety.

But as soon as he finished speaking, an old man gave him a cold look that froze him in place, and he immediately shut up.

Second Uncle also glanced at Yan Bugui and then chimed in, "That's right, that's right, they didn't invite us, so they didn't plan for us to go. Comrade Li, you don't need to make this trip."

Seeing that the two men were shaking their heads in unison, Yan Bugui knew he wouldn't get any advantage, so he could only sigh inwardly and remain silent.

"In that case, we won't trouble Comrade Li any further."

The group of hungry young people immediately looked disappointed.

Li Jingtong walked alone towards the garden next door.

"Brother and sister-in-law, congratulations on your marriage! Wishing you a long and happy life together, and may you soon have a child!"

She smiled and congratulated Li Guohua and Jiang Yue.

"Thank you for your kind words!"

"Go sit at Aunt Lou's table."

Li Guohua gestured with his chin toward the table on the left side of the garden.

"Okay!"

She quickly went over and greeted them cheerfully, "Aunt Lou! Aunt Wen! Second Aunt Wen!"

Lou Meie and the Wen sisters, Wen Keren and Wen Keyi, were indeed present.

Like He Shuting, Lou Meie and Wen Keren are over forty years old, but they still look like they are in their early thirties. They have full eyes and eyebrows, gentle temperament, and every move they make exudes the charm of mature women.

Wen Keyi is only thirty-eight years old, with a cute and lively baby face, looking like a girl in her early twenties. At school, students who don't know her often mistake her for a freshman.

"Jingtong, have you finished reviewing your holiday homework?"

Wen Keyi asked.

She is both a professor at Peking University and in charge of the Academic Affairs Office; she personally approved Li Jingtong's vacation this time.

"Replying to Aunt Wen, everything has been sorted out."

Li Jingtong is eighteen years old and a junior in college. She will be able to graduate in another year.

As mentioned earlier, the children Li Wenguo raised under the system optimization were all bright and quick learners. Skipping grades was as commonplace for them as eating and drinking.

Besides Li Jingtong, Li Guotai also brought Hu Ke'er—he never goes back on his word.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful!"

Hu Ke'er's eyes lit up as soon as she stepped into the garden, and she was delighted with the sight. It was close to her home, and she had already secretly decided that she would settle down here in the future.

"You like it? Then let's build our house here from now on."

Li Guotai said softly.

"Okay! This is it!"

Hu Ke'er smiled so hard her eyes curved into crescents, her heart filled with joy and her face radiant with happiness.

At this moment, a man in his thirties walked over. He was tall and handsome, with refined manners, and stopped directly next to Wen Keyi's table.

Wen Keyi raised her eyes, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

"Keyi, can we talk?"

The man spoke with a smile.

"this……"

She caught a glimpse of Lou Meie and her sister Wen Keren's gazes, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Keyi, who is that person?"

Wen Keren's expression darkened.

Now that my sister has married Li Wenguo, she should no longer have any dealings with outsiders.

"He's my former senior from school, and he's now the deputy director of the Education Bureau, Fei Shibin."

Wen Keyi's tone was calm, yet it conveyed a sense of detachment.

That's right, it's the same man who went to the revolutionary base to make revolution back then and made Wen Keyi wait for his return.

Unfortunately, Wen Keyi had already become Li Wenguo's woman.

"Senior, you don't need to come anymore. I already have a husband and children, and I'm living a peaceful life."

The two strolled to a secluded spot in the garden, where Wen Keyi spoke calmly.

At first, she was forced to marry Li Wenguo, and she did feel resentful. But as time went on, she became pregnant, the child was born and settled down, and Li Wenguo was always kind, considerate and attentive to everything. She had long since settled her heart in this family and no longer mentioned any resentment.

Seeing this former lover again now, I feel no emotion whatsoever; I simply think of it as a chance encounter with an old classmate I haven't contacted in a long time.

"Keyi, are you really left with absolutely nothing?"

Fei Shibin stared at the increasingly charming woman in front of him, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He still remembers that when Beiping was first liberated, red flags were flying everywhere. He rushed into Peking University with great hope to find her, planning to stand side by side with her and embark on a new journey together.

To his surprise, when he opened the door, he saw her with a slightly protruding belly, walking towards him with a composed gait.

At that moment, the joy surging in his chest collapsed with a roar, as if his bones had been pulled out, plunging him straight into an abyss.

"Keyi, what... what are you doing...?"

"Yes, senior, I'm already married."

She lowered her eyes and spoke softly, her voice tinged with apology.

After all, on the day she put on her wedding dress, he was still on the front lines keeping his promise; and ten years have passed like flowing water, and the innocent and ignorant feelings of those years have long been ironed, covered and disappeared by the daily grind, the warmth of her husband's palm, the clear laughter of her children, and the smell of chalk dust on the podium.

"Didn't I promise you? I would come back and marry you after the war was won."

His voice was strained, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

Who hasn't cherished the person they love so dearly, waiting and waiting? When that person is lost, how can they not feel anxious, hurt, and resentful?

"I'm sorry, senior. The road to revolution is too long, and I didn't live to see that day; later, I met someone who was willing to bow down for me, shield me from the rain, and stay with me through the cold nights—so I married him."

"You can blame me for being fickle, or scold me for breaking my promise, but it's truly over between us. I am now Mrs. Li, with a husband, children, and a family. Please don't look for me again."

Before she finished speaking, she turned and left, her skirt fluttering lightly, decisive and clean, cutting off any possible room for maneuver.

Fei Shibin stood frozen in place, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had been taken away.

Memories flooded back, leaving only a silent, bitter laugh.

……

"Senior, this is the last time I'll call you that. All I have in my heart are my husband, my children, my family, and my duty as a teacher. Your kindness from back then has long since vanished. Please understand and don't come to my door again, lest you disturb my peace."

"The wedding banquet is in full swing today, and my husband and children are at the head table, so I can't stay any longer—goodbye."

A few words, brief, clear, and leaving no room for doubt, gently pushed Fei Shibin's last remaining delusions out of his mind.

Watching her graceful figure disappear into the distance, Fei Shibin choked with a sigh, a surge of anger rising within him—why had he insisted on going to the base area first? If he had rushed ahead to marry her, he wouldn't have had to give her away so easily!

But when I advised her to wait, it was out of genuine fear that the ruthlessness of war would ruin her life. Who would have thought that, in the end, it would benefit someone else?

"Ke Yi, what exactly is your relationship with that person?"

As soon as Wen Keyi returned to the main banquet area, her older sister Wen Keren immediately came up to her and questioned her in a low voice.

She currently lives a stable and affluent life: she has a son and a daughter, a spacious villa, a chauffeur, and a gleaming car; whatever she wants is within her grasp. Her husband treats her with tenderness and affection, making love to her at least twice a week. She absolutely does not want her sister to be confused and disrupt this hard-won happiness.

"Sis, it's really okay. I've already made it clear to his face that he won't be coming again."

"I hope so. You are also a teacher, you should know what it means to remain faithful to one's profession."

She whispered the last sentence almost into her ear, just loud enough for the two sisters to hear.

The atmosphere at the main table was lively.

"Brother-in-law, the thirty-odd apartment buildings in Wangfujing have already been topped out. When do you think it would be a good time to break ground on that plot of land in Houhai?"

Lou Zhenhua, holding a wine glass, leaned closer to Li Wenguo and asked.

Due to the housing shortage in Beijing, Li Wenguo proposed to his wife, He Shuting: the government would provide the land, they would fund the construction, half of the buildings would be transferred free of charge, and the other half would be sold by themselves.

To solve the immediate problem, several municipal leaders met and immediately agreed – the land was owned by the government, the property rights remained unchanged, there was no risk, it was a freebie, why not?

Li Wenguo and his brother-in-law joined forces to sell houses, and profits poured in; the people benefited, the people got new homes, and everyone was happy.

"Boss Li, our machinery factory still owns a piece of land in Liulichang. I wonder if we could lend a hand using this method?"

At this moment, a middle-aged cadre with a round, slightly chubby face smiled and raised his glass in a toast, taking the opportunity to express his intention to cooperate.

They also wanted to learn from Li Wenguo's approach: the factory would only provide the land, while Li Wenguo would invest money to build the buildings, and each would split the profits equally once completed—zero investment, no loss of land, and the ability to reap the benefits.

"Boss Li, and our garment factory too!"

"Boss Li, I'm the factory manager of the First Steel Rolling Mill. There's still a vacant piece of land in the factory!"

Li Wenguo laughed heartily, "Of course, of course!"

The wedding banquet was lively and bustling until 3 p.m. before gradually dispersing.